May is the month when British gardens truly come alive. After the tentative blossoms of March and the fresh greens of April, May arrives with an explosion of colour, fragrance, and abundance. For flower lovers — and anyone who has ever received a truly beautiful bouquet — there is no better time of year.
At Olive Tree Florist, we work with seasonal British blooms every day, and May is when our flower studio feels most like a painter’s palette. Here is your complete guide to what is blooming this month, why British-grown matters, and how to make the most of May’s floral riches.
Why Seasonal Flowers Matter
Before we dive into the blooms themselves, it is worth understanding why buying seasonal matters. When you purchase flowers that are naturally blooming in the UK during May, you get:
- Better value — seasonal flowers are abundant and therefore more affordable
- Superior freshness — locally grown stems travel hours, not days, from field to vase
- Reduced environmental impact — no air freight, no heated greenhouses, lower carbon footprint
- Stronger fragrance — varieties bred for beauty rather than transport durability tend to smell better
- Support for British growers — your purchase keeps British flower farms thriving
Learn more about our ethical flower sourcing →
The Star of May: Peonies
If May had an official flower, it would be the peony. These lush, extravagant blooms are the undisputed highlight of the late spring season, and for good reason. With their layers upon layers of tissue-thin petals — ranging from pure white through every shade of pink to deepest burgundy — peonies embody romance.
The British peony season typically begins in early May and runs through June, with the peak coming in the middle weeks of the month. At their best, peonies open from tight, round buds into blooms the size of a side plate, filling a room with their delicate, rose-like fragrance.
How to Style Peonies
Peonies work beautifully on their own — a dozen stems of the same variety in a simple glass vase is one of the most elegant arrangements you can create. They also pair wonderfully with eucalyptus foliage for a fresh, contemporary look, spray roses for added texture, and Alchemilla mollis (lady’s mantle) for a frothy, garden-gathered feel.
Peony Care Tips
Peonies often arrive with their buds still tightly closed. Do not worry — this is normal and means they will last longer. Place them in lukewarm water, keep them out of direct sunlight, and within 24-48 hours they will begin to unfurl. Change the water every two days for the longest vase life.
Order our signature peony bouquet, available for same-day London delivery →
Ranunculus: Layers of Delight
If peonies are the drama queens of May, ranunculus are the delicate dancers. These flowers feature endless layers of paper-thin petals arranged in perfect concentric circles, like a living origami creation. They come in an extraordinary range of colours — from soft blush and butter yellow to vivid coral, deep burgundy, and rich plum.
British-grown ranunculus are typically available from March through May, with the best quality coming from cool-weather crops. They have a good vase life (typically 5-7 days) and their slender, graceful stems make them ideal for natural, unstructured arrangements.
Tulips: A Spring Classic Still Going Strong
While tulips are often associated with March and April, many British varieties continue blooming well into May. Look for late-season varieties like the dramatic parrot tulips — with their ruffled, fringed petals — and the elegant lily-flowered types with pointed, reflexed petals.
Dutch tulips dominate the market, but British tulip growers are gaining ground. Locally grown tulips tend to have slightly shorter stems but significantly better vase life, as they do not endure the stress of international transport.
Tulip Styling Ideas
Tulips continue growing after they are cut — sometimes by several centimetres. Embrace this natural movement by arranging them loosely in a wide-mouthed vessel where they can arc and curve. A mixed bunch of parrot tulips in varying colours creates a stunning, painterly effect that looks straight out of a Dutch still life.
Lilac: Fragrance and Nostalgia
Few flowers evoke the feeling of an English spring quite like lilac. Their heady, sweet fragrance — drifting through open windows on warm May afternoons — is the scent of the season. Cut lilac branches, heavy with clusters of tiny purple, pink, or white blossoms, make a dramatic statement in a tall vase.
Lilac has a relatively short vase life (3-5 days), so it is best enjoyed fresh. To maximise longevity: cut stems at a sharp angle, strip any leaves that would sit below the water line, and use flower food. The branches drink heavily, so check water levels daily.
Sweet Peas: Tiny Blooms, Enormous Scent
No May flower guide would be complete without sweet peas. These delicate, frilly blooms may be small, but their fragrance is anything but — intensely sweet and unmistakably floral, a few stems of sweet peas can perfume an entire room.
British sweet peas come into their own in May, with specialist growers producing varieties in shades ranging from deepest purple through lavender, pink, and pure white. Their short stems (typically 15-25 cm) make them ideal for posy bowls and small bedside arrangements rather than tall vases.
Lily of the Valley: The Ephemeral Treasure
Lily of the valley is perhaps the most precious of May’s blooms. These tiny, bell-shaped white flowers grow on slender green stems and carry a fragrance so exquisite it has inspired perfumers for centuries. The British season is fleeting — typically just 2-3 weeks in May — which only adds to their appeal.
Traditionally associated with weddings (Kate Middleton carried lily of the valley in her bridal bouquet, and they were a favourite of Grace Kelly), these delicate blooms bring an air of elegance to any arrangement.
Other May Blooms to Look For
| Flower | Colour Range | Vase Life | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliums | Purple, white, blue | 7-10 days | Contemporary, sculptural arrangements |
| Aquilegia | Purple, pink, white, blue | 5-7 days | Cottage garden style |
| Bluebells | Blue, white, pink | 4-5 days | Woodland-inspired displays |
| Cornflowers | Blue, pink, white, purple | 7 days | Wildflower arrangements |
| Geums | Orange, yellow, red | 5-7 days | Warm-toned bouquets |
| Hellebores | Green, white, pink, purple | 7-10 days | Elegant, understated designs |
British vs. Imported: Making the Right Choice
It is worth addressing the elephant in the room — or rather, the refrigerated cargo plane. A significant proportion of flowers sold in the UK are imported, predominantly from the Netherlands (via auction), Kenya, Ecuador, and Colombia. These flowers are bred for durability and uniformity rather than fragrance and character.
British-grown flowers, by contrast, often have more fragrance (varieties selected for scent, not shipping hardiness), more character (stems may be slightly curved, blooms slightly varied — this is natural beauty), a smaller carbon footprint (road transport within the UK produces a fraction of the emissions of air freight), and seasonal authenticity — you connect with the rhythm of the British growing year.
At Olive Tree Florist, we believe in both. We champion British growers whenever the season allows, but we also understand that sometimes you need flowers that are not in season locally. Our florists are transparent about provenance and will always advise on the best option for your needs.
Explore our seasonal subscription — British blooms delivered monthly →
May Wedding Flowers
May is one of the most popular months for British weddings, and for good floral reason — the selection is spectacular. A May wedding bouquet might combine peonies, ranunculus, sweet peas, and lily of the valley for a romantic, scented arrangement that captures the essence of the season.
If you are planning a May wedding, book your florist early — the busy season fills up fast. At Olive Tree Florist, we offer wedding consultations and can create everything from bridal bouquets to table centres and ceremony arches.
Discover our wedding flower service →
How to Make May Flowers Last Longer
Fresh flowers are perishable, but with good care you can extend their life significantly:
- Clean your vase thoroughly — bacteria is the number one enemy of cut flowers
- Use sharp, clean scissors or secateurs — crushing stems reduces water uptake
- Cut stems at a 45-degree angle — this increases the surface area for water absorption
- Remove all foliage below the water line — submerged leaves rot and breed bacteria
- Change water every 2 days — and re-cut stems each time
- Keep away from fruit bowls — ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which ages flowers prematurely
- Avoid direct sunlight, radiators, and draughts
Frequently Asked Questions
What flowers are in season in the UK during May?
May is peak season for peonies, ranunculus, tulips, lilac, sweet peas, lily of the valley, alliums, aquilegia, bluebells, and cornflowers. It is one of the most abundant months in the British flower calendar, offering an extraordinary range of colours, fragrances, and textures for bouquets and arrangements.
Are peonies available in May?
Yes — May is the peak month for British peonies. The season typically runs from early May through late June, with the best quality, fragrance, and value in the middle weeks of May. British-grown peonies are particularly prized for their strong scent and generous bloom size.
Which flowers have the best fragrance in May?
Lilac, sweet peas, and lily of the valley have the most intense fragrance among May-blooming British flowers. Peonies and garden roses also carry a beautiful, more subtle scent. For a truly fragrant bouquet, ask your florist to combine sweet peas with a few stems of lilac.
How long do cut peonies last in a vase?
With proper care — clean vase, fresh water, re-cut stems every two days — peonies typically last 5-7 days. Avoid direct sunlight and keep them away from fruit bowls to maximise vase life. They often arrive with tight buds that open gradually, giving you several days of evolving beauty.
Do you deliver seasonal May flowers across London?
Yes. Olive Tree Florist offers same-day delivery across all 32 London boroughs and Central London when you order by 2 PM. Every bouquet is hand-tied by our florists using the freshest seasonal blooms available that day, with British-grown flowers prioritised wherever possible.
Ready to bring the best of May indoors? Shop our seasonal collection for same-day London delivery, or get in touch for a bespoke floral consultation.